Astana is a planned city with wide avenues, which results in significant distances between attractions and points of interest. Although central areas like the "Old Town" are designed to be more pedestrian-friendly, the overall city layout is made with cars in mind. Additionally, the extreme summer and winter temperatures make walking less appealing and limit its practicality. Crossing busy roads and navigating areas that might not feel entirely safe can be challenging for travelers, further complicating efforts to handle daily needs without transport assistance.
Astana offers a robust public transportation system, mainly through an extensive network of bus routes. This network provides broad coverage, making it feasible to travel around the city quite efficiently. Modern conveniences like real-time tracking via mobile apps and a variety of payment options, including transport cards and banking apps, enhance user experience. The city's commitment to enhancing its public transit system includes initiatives like e-ticketing, making it a reliable option for travelers.
Astana is progressively expanding its bike infrastructure with dedicated bike lanes and a bike-sharing system, aiming to encourage cycling throughout the city. However, as the infrastructure is still in development, cyclists may encounter challenges such as incomplete routes and limited facilities. The severe climatic conditions also restrict biking to more temperate times, limiting its viability as an all-year-round transportation option. Despite growing popularity, cycling in Astana isn't yet an entirely smooth or comfortable experience for travelers.